Alias Management Group for Cross-Subsystem I/O Address Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems that assign alias addresses to logical subsystems for directing I/O requests are limited to using alias addresses within the same logical subsystem as the base address, restricting the ability to access base addresses across different logical subsystems.
Innovation Solution
The creation of an alias management group that allows any alias address on one logical subsystem to be used to issue an I/O request to any base address within the group, enabling the sharing of alias addresses across multiple logical subsystems and extending the scope of accessible base addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If alias addresses are assigned to logical subsystems for directing I/O requests, then I/O request routing is enabled, but the alias addresses are restricted to use only within the same logical subsystem as the base address
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an alias management group that enables alias addresses to serve multiple functions across different logical subsystems. Instead of being confined to a single logical subsystem, an alias address within the group can route I/O requests to any base address in any logical subsystem belonging to the same alias management group, thereby expanding the versatility and adaptability of alias address usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple logical subsystems into a unified alias management group. By combining the address spaces of multiple logical subsystems under a single alias management group, the system allows alias addresses to operate across the merged structure, enabling cross-subsystem routing while maintaining a coordinated address management framework.
2Ease of operation
If alias addresses are confined to the same logical subsystem, then address management is simplified, but the ability to access base addresses across different logical subsystems is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The alias management group enables each alias address to serve multiple logical subsystems simultaneously. A single alias address can route I/O requests to base addresses in any logical subsystem within the group, eliminating the need for separate alias addresses for each subsystem and reducing the total quantity of alias addresses required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy mechanism where an alias address can represent multiple base addresses across different logical subsystems. Instead of requiring physical or separate address assignments for each subsystem, the alias address acts as a virtual pointer that can be copied or shared across the alias management group, enabling cross-subsystem access with fewer addresses.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for sharing alias addresses among logical devices for a control unit managing access by hosts to logical devices configured with capacity from attached physical devices. An alias management group of logical devices and alias addresses assigned to the logical devices is configured. A plurality of requests to establish an association of the host with a logical device and the alias addresses assigned to the logical devices in the alias management group are received from a host. Acknowledgment is made to the host that the association is established in response to determining that the host is assigned the logical devices and alias addresses of the logical devices in the alias management group. The host can use one available alias address assigned to any one of the logical devices to access any one of the logical devices indicated in the association.